foothold

noun

foot·​hold ˈfu̇t-ˌhōld How to pronounce foothold (audio)
Synonyms of footholdnext
1
: a hold for the feet : footing
2
: a position usable as a base for further advance
The company secured a foothold in the market.

Examples of foothold in a Sentence

The army gained a foothold on the island. The company has secured a foothold in the market.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The fact is that recent or older series can gain new footholds with modern viewers who haven’t seen them. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026 But in recent years, Caribbean cuisine has begun to find a firmer foothold in America. Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 Chinese and Russian intelligence are believed to have a foothold on the island. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 Keeping your lawn thick and healthy with good sunlight, proper mowing, fertilization, and deep watering helps prevent ground ivy from gaining a foothold. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foothold

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foothold was circa 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foothold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foothold. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

foothold

noun
foot·​hold -ˌhōld How to pronounce foothold (audio)
1
: a hold for the feet : footing
2
: a position usable as a base for further advance

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